Asterisk is originally designed for the Linux operating system and is the leading open source PBX, telephony engine and application toolkit. It also runs on different operating systems like NetBSD, OpenBS etc. This toolkit comes with perfect flexibility and the latest technology that makes it even more popular. In this article we would like to touch upon the facts concerning the benefits of a VOIP telephony system with the help of the asterisk.

VOIP telephony in Asterisk helps to make regular voice calls over the internet as if it were a regular data.  Asterisk supports the VOIP in 4 protocols which are H.323, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), and Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP). Not only does it allow the user to transmit voice data but you can also to type any data that is compatible with the advanced information integration.

Every business enterprise aims to enhance their business with the latest technology and the least investment possible. These goals can be achieved by using an application like Asterisk which makes use of the latest VOIP telephony features and back to at economic prices.

In a recent press conference Packt introduced the Asterisk book which is written with the intention of assisting people to design and develop VOIP telephony platforms and services. The book is named as the Asterisk Gateway Interface 1.4 and 1.6. The programming is written by Mr. Nir Simionovich who is an open source expert. This program helps users to develop and enable voice applications using the PHP and PHPAGI programs.

This book also contains a new concept which provides a full understanding of the AGI scripting. Another feature of this book is that it consists of various techniques of interactions like recording messages from the users, sending the output to them and also controlling the flow of calls. This book follows the simplest Asterisk application called as the dial plan.

By using this book, it becomes very easy for the users to formulate Atomic AG enabled scripts which enables quick development within the Asterisk execution and run time environment. It also helps in understanding the Asterisk Manager interface and its use in the Asterisk applications. Based on this information, the user can easily develop a web based call- back platform and IVR applications with the help of a PHP and PHPAGI.
VOIP telephony is gaining a lot of popularity in terms of modern voice communications. It vastly helps in the consolidation of the telephone services in an existing IP infrastructure. The above book is an ideal choice for system administrators and VOIP telephony providers